curio

noun

cu·​rio ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌō How to pronounce curio (audio)
ˈkyər-
plural curios
: something (such as a decorative object) considered novel, rare, or bizarre : curiosity
also : an unusual or bizarre person

Examples of curio in a Sentence

She loves to browse the shops in small towns, looking for curios. be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Usually, a movie shot like this is either a curio or a catastrophe, too practiced and deliberate to ever be spontaneous or convincing. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024 This profile starts as a curio, but very quickly becomes fascinating. Longreads, 4 Oct. 2024 This includes using pebbled leather wallpaper, Bolivian lacquered hardwood for the bars, crush-velvet furnishings, gold and Italian marble flooring, and bookshelves lined with trinkets, curios, and coveted Assouline books. Tiffany Leigh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 The result is a seasonal roundup of few marquee releases, but plenty of obsession-worthy curios: comebacks from the Cure, Bon Iver, Laura Marling, Stephen Malkmus, Japandroids, Kim Deal, and Iceage’s Elias Rønnenfelt; rapid-fire reloads from the Smile, Charli XCX, and Mount Eerie. Pitchfork, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for curio 

Word History

Etymology

short for curiosity

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curio was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near curio

Cite this Entry

“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curio. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

curio

noun
cu·​rio ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌō How to pronounce curio (audio)
plural curios
: an object or article valued because it is strange or rare

More from Merriam-Webster on curio

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!